Balancing authority map
A balancing authority matches electricity supply, demand and interchange within its area. Use this US balancing authority map to locate grid areas, open their demand readings and see how they fit into the Eastern, Western and Texas interconnections.
How to read a balancing authority map
What is a balancing authority?
A balancing authority coordinates the balance of generation, electricity use and transfers with neighboring systems. Its area is an operating responsibility, which can include many generators, utilities and customers. The map places those areas in the wider transmission network.
Balancing authority, ISO and RTO
Some balancing authorities are organized market operators such as PJM or CAISO. Others are utility systems outside an independent system operator or regional transmission organization. Looking only at organized markets leaves parts of US electricity demand out.
Find the grid serving a location
Use the map to identify the balancing area around a location, then follow its operator into regional data. Balancing-area boundaries and utility service territories describe different responsibilities; a balancing-authority label alone does not identify a property’s electricity retailer.
Electricity demand by balancing area
The EIA regional table groups expected demand-serving authorities at one reporting hour. Its reporting count and missing-authority list explain whether the authority readings support the regional total. Generation-only and retired authorities are outside that hour’s expected demand population.
In the glossary: Balancing authority
Questions
Is a balancing authority the same as an electric utility?
A utility may carry out balancing responsibilities, but the roles differ. A balancing authority coordinates its system’s electricity balance; a utility may deliver or sell electricity within that area.
What is the difference between a balancing authority and an interconnection?
An interconnection is a larger electrically connected system. It can contain many balancing authorities, each responsible for balancing its own area.
Are balancing authorities the same as ISO or RTO markets?
Some ISO and RTO operators are balancing authorities. Many balancing authorities operate outside those organized markets, which is why this map and the EIA demand account extend beyond the market board.
Why can a balancing authority be missing from a demand total?
Its observation can be missing or invalid at the selected common hour. The coverage table keeps those gaps visible rather than treating an incomplete subtotal as complete demand.